UK Unemployment Levels Are Serious Threat to Construction, warns Federation of Master Builders
News that UK unemployment has hit a 14 year high, with 2.47 million out of work, is further evidence of the deep skills crisis facing the construction industry, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Richard Diment, Director-General of the FMB said: "During the last recession the construction industry lost half a million skilled workers and it is vital that action is taken to ensure that this is not repeated in 2010.
"With one in five young people out of work and apprenticeship numbers half what they were in 2007, the industry faces unprecedented challenges to training. Recent initiatives have gone some way to make it easier for employers to take on apprentices but more still needs to be done. Given the pressure on government spending it is crucial that apprenticeships are given funding priority if the UK economy is to remain competitive."
Diment concluded: "The Government is committed to cutting carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050 but as yet has failed to produce a clear delivery plan for the built environment sector, which contributes some 40 percent of the country's carbon emissions.
"Creating an implementation plan could open up a market worth between £3.5 and £6.5billion, according to research conducted by Oxford University, and in doing so create thousands of jobs at a time when they are needed most. What we need from the Government is a much more joined-up approach."